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After my doc gave me my latest lab set, we both agreed that It was time to start the therapy (11months of infection, CD4: 284 - 26%). We discussed about all different options available, but somehow found that Truvada+Reyataz+Norvir should be "the one" for me. I got my prescriptions written and headed off to Pharmacy to pick up 2 month supply. But there was one docīs sentence I got bothered by .. he said "it looks you are a fast progressor, so we canīt really expect your numbers will raise into the sky.. more likely they will get around 400-500 and not more". So, Am I a fast progressor, if my numbers went down as fast as they did? If yes, does this mean that I have no chance of (a total) recover of my immune system - health? Thanks guys!

Wasnīt really nervous, anxious or something, but something changed for a few moments. For the first time after I got my diagnosis revealed, I felt "sick" - not for a long time, hehe. Friday, around 9pm I took the bottles, opened them, took out 3 pills and swallowed them. No drama, no panic, nothing. Hit the sack around midnight like always and next day I normally woke up. No diarrhea, no yellow eyes, no nausea ... today, it is the 3rd day and still NO SIDE AFFECTS... I think I am doing more than great!

Do you have any suggestions/advises about this combo? Should I specially take care of something particular?

I've been on T/R/N for approx. 6-8 yrs now, and the ONLY effect I ever had was a little bit of gas changing from the gelcap Norvir to the tablet Norvir. I take my pills with dinner because Reyataz needs to be taken with food, and the food has always helped me not be sick off the Norvir (the liquid version used to make me sick a lot so I try to be cautious with Norvir in any form)

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leatherman (aka mIkIE)

All the stars are flashing high above the seaand the party is on fire around you and meWe're gonna burn this disco down before the morning comes- Pet Shop Boys chart from 1992-2015Isentress/Prezcobix

Reyataz should be taken with food, preferably a complete nutritious meal, to ensure proper absorption of the drug into the bloodstream.

Additionally, and though I know you don't reside in the US, medication requiring food for absorption should be properly labeled on the bottle from your pharmacy. Norvir is labeled as having a food requirement also.

ps: If you shorten that URL to this link you'll see detailed information on each available antiviral medication.

Reyataz should be taken with food, preferably a complete nutritious meal, to ensure proper absorption of the drug into the bloodstream.

Additionally, and though I know you don't reside in the US, medication requiring food for absorption should be properly labeled on the bottle from your pharmacy. Norvir is labeled as having a food requirement also.

ps: If you shorten that URL to this link you'll see detailed information on each available antiviral medication.

Well I usually take my meds during breakfast, when I wake up. But sometimes I just take 'em with water. I had no idea about this.

I wouldnt worry too much about your doctor labelling you a "fast progressor.". For one, you are on very effective medication that will essentially shut down the reproduction of the virus. As long as you remain adherent to your medication I wouldnt expect you to have any different outcome than anyone else.

As far as your CD4's not rebounding, I don't think it was appropriate for your doctor to say you will have a limit on how high they will go. Its too early to say.

taking your meds with (or without) food as instructed is very important and shouldn't be dismissed lightly.

reading the package insert that comes from the meds (sometimes a very tough thing to do because boy are those complicated and scientific; but well worth the time to understand your medication and how it affects you) you'll find that the "suggestion" to take it with or without food is not a suggestion at all. That package information will show that there is a difference in the amount of medication that is actually absorbed into your blood system based on various things (like fat content for example). That means if you don't follow the requirement to "take with food", you'll actually not be getting the proper amount of medication in your system that you should be and that your doctor is expecting you to be receiving. In a worse case scenario this can lead to numbers taking longer to reach optimal (ie more damage to your immune system dragged out for a longer period of time) or perhaps even the virus mutating and resistance happening.

Drug instructions (which can be found on the outside of the prescription bottle, the package insert, or even in informative places like http://www.aidsmeds.com/list.shtml) are given to reach optimal drug absorption, not really as a suggestion. HAART is basically chemotherapy and are very serious drugs that shouldn't be taken lightly. The drugs require a specific amount of adherence (>95%) and absorption to work properly against a very deadly germ that can easily mutate. that's the reason we are given regimens, ie "cocktails", as it takes a specific multifaceted approach to stop HIV from replicating.

Deviating from the instructions is not recommended.

by the way since I am on the subject of absorption and the importance of meds, did you know that even though Norvir is a PI (Protease Inhibitor), that it is also a "drug booster"? Because of how it works and allows greater absorption, less of other medications is needed. Without it, you'd have to take even more meds (like the Truvada and Reyataz) or perhaps even add another medication just to reach the same level of effectiveness. This boosting quality not only applies to ARVs but other "regular" medications are often boosted too! That's another reason was it's important to let your doctor know about other medications or supplements that you might be taking.

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leatherman (aka mIkIE)

All the stars are flashing high above the seaand the party is on fire around you and meWe're gonna burn this disco down before the morning comes- Pet Shop Boys chart from 1992-2015Isentress/Prezcobix

SO FAR, ALL GOOD! no side effects... no diarrhea, no nausea, just a bit of yellowing (almost not recognizable.. even my mom who sticks her nose in EVERYTHING, she didnt notice it!) ... so LONG LIVE THE COMBO OF TRUVADA/REYATAZ/NORVIR :DDD

no side effects... no diarrhea, no nausea, just a bit of yellowing (almost not recognizable..

that's good news!I never had any yellow effect from it. and since I had serious jaundice from some hepatitis back in 82 ( I mean my eyes were so yellow I looked like I came out of a Michael Jackson video LOL) I know what yellowing looks like. LOL

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leatherman (aka mIkIE)

All the stars are flashing high above the seaand the party is on fire around you and meWe're gonna burn this disco down before the morning comes- Pet Shop Boys chart from 1992-2015Isentress/Prezcobix

@leathermanyeah! really happy about it! till now 7 doses went down my throat, so I decided to fly to France next week for a couple of days ... i hope everything will be fine ... doc said me if there were no or mild side effects in first couple of days, chances that severe effects burst out are none or small, thats why I just went and bought my air ticket!

also make sure to take a few extra days worth of meds with you . They don't take up much space, and if something should arise (terrorists, volcanoes, a hot dude asking you to stay another day or two - better take some extra condoms along too!) you'll be prepared just like a good Boy Scout.

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leatherman (aka mIkIE)

All the stars are flashing high above the seaand the party is on fire around you and meWe're gonna burn this disco down before the morning comes- Pet Shop Boys chart from 1992-2015Isentress/Prezcobix

my boss would not be really happy to hear you heheheh ... anyway, he still thinks i am gonna be back on work on 3.1., he does not know yet that my return ticket is booked on 3.1., hahaha... already have an excuse - "my flight will be rescheduled"

@leathermanyeah! really happy about it! till now 7 doses went down my throat, so I decided to fly to France next week for a couple of days ... i hope everything will be fine ... doc said me if there were no or mild side effects in first couple of days, chances that severe effects burst out are none or small, thats why I just went and bought my air ticket!

@Op - Hopefully, you are on vacation by now or coming back soon ( unless Hotties ask you to stay and in that case tell your boss flight has been rescheduled again

So far, I am really glad to hear that this combo has lesser side effects on pozzies so far ( again, yaa yaa i know it depends on the person). But, its really good to hear that its working for others and for you.

Dude, don't even ask... i met that guy (freind's friend) who totally fell in love with me..i ended up sleeping in his bed -2 nights but nothing serious happened ...he is a nice guy and everything but i kinda didn't want to or couldn't tell him about my "little issue", but now he wants to meet me next weekend ... hm, he lives like 1000km away from my town and we supposed to meet half way ... wtf?